Planning pre-application advice

We encourage all applicants to get advice from us before making a planning application. We can give you expert advice on the various matters you will need to consider on your proposal.

Our advice services

Duty planning officer service

For small scale proposals, such as householder planning applications (i.e. single dwellings), changes to the use of a building, small commercial alterations and extensions only. See more details on our duty planning officer service.

Pre-application advice services

We offer different levels of pre-application advice service, depending on the size, type and complexity of your proposal. This ranges from a service for small and medium proposals and works to listed buildings to a premium service for the largest or most strategic development proposals.

How to request pre-application advice

Please return your completed form and supporting documents as instructed on the form.

On receipt of your request form, our planning customer service team will contact you to arrange payment. We accept payment by debit or credit card or BACs.

Following payment, a planning officer will be allocated to consider your proposal and will contact you to arrange a meeting (if appropriate, depending on the scale).

Environmental impact assessment guidance (EIA)

A small number of major or significant development projects will require an EIA. This is a process for identifying the environmental effects of a proposed development before a planning application is decided. To find out more about whether your scheme could require an EIA, please view the EIA guidance.